Frank McCormick M.D.
Orthopedic Shoulder, Sports Medicine and Joint Preservation
The LESS Institute
www.frankmccormickmd.com
877-956-3837
FrankMcCormick@thelessinstitute.com
954-640-6010 Office
ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR PROTOCOL
Name_______________________________________________________________________________
Date__________________
Diagnosis________________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Surgery_________________________
Frequency: 1
2
3
4
times/week
Duration: 1
2
3
4
5
6 Weeks
______Weeks 0-1:

Patient to do Home Exercises given post-op (pendulums, elbow ROM, wrist ROM, grip strengthening)

Patient to remain in splint for 4 weeks
______Weeks 1-6:

Sling only! The rotator cuff tendon needs to heal back into the bone

ROM goals: 140º FF/40º ER at side; ABD max 60-80º without rotation

No resisted motions of shoulder until 12 weeks post-op

Grip strengthening

No canes/pulleys until 6 weeks post-op, because these are active-assist exercises

Heat before PT, ice after PT
______Weeks 6-12:

Begin PROM  AAROM  AROM as tolerated

Goals: Same as above, but can increase as tolerated

Light passive stretching at end ranges

Begin scapular exercises, PRE’s for large muscle groups (pecs, lats, etx)

At 8 weeks, can begin strengthening/resisted motions

Isometrics with arm at side beginning at 8 weeks
______Months 3-12:

Advance to full ROM as tolerated with passive stretching at end ranges

Advance strengthening as tolerated: isometrics  bands  light weights (1-5 lbs); 8-12 reps/2-3 sets per
rotator cuff, deltoid, and scapular stabilizers

Only do strengthening 3x/week to avoid rotator cuff tendonitis

Begin eccentrically resisted motions, plyometrics (ex. Weighted ball toss), proprioception (es. body blade)

Begin sports related rehab at 4 ½ months, including advanced conditioning

Return to throwing at 6 months

Throw from pitcher’s mound at 9 months

Collision sports at 9 months

MMI is usually at 12 months post-op
Comments:
____Functional Capacity Evaluation ____Work Hardening/Work Conditioning
____ Teach HEP
Modalities
___Electric Stimulation ___Ultrasound ___ Iontophoresis ___Phonophoresis ____ Heat before/after ____Ice
before/after ___Trigger points massage ___TENS ___ Other _____________________________
____
Therapist’s discretion
Signature__________________________________________ Date__________________